Five key stats from Elche 1-2 Barcelona

Elche hosted a highly-motivated Barcelona for gameweek 27 of La Liga in a very heated affair. After taking a 1-0 lead in the first half, the hosts could not keep up with Barça’s intensity and eventually succumbed to a 1-2 defeat.

The goals came from super substitutes Ferran Torres and Memphis Depay, who eventually completed the comeback with ten minutes to spare. The last comeback win Barcelona completed after trailing at half-time was vs Real Betis last season.

The last two times Barcelona won a La Liga game when they were trailing at half-time:

– February 2021 vs Real Betis: Goals from substitutes Messi and Trincao.
– March 2022 vs Elche: Goals from substitutes Torres and Memphis.

— @barca19stats pic.twitter.com/Ui2OUYdVUg

— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) March 6, 2022

After scoring 19 goals in six games in February, Barcelona’s poor finishing was back on display today, as they squandered several opportunities across both halves; Frenkie de Jong, Torres, and Ousmane Dembele being the culprits.

Barcelona created 8 big chances today, but missed 6 of them. Torres missed 3, de Jong 2, and Dembele 1. Torres and Memphis converted the two that eventually completed the comeback.

— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) March 6, 2022

This now makes it two goals in two games for Memphis, both as a substitute, since his return from injury. More than that, it showed his stellar skill from 12 yards as he put away Barcelona’s 121st penalty since 2006 into the top corner.

Barcelona have won 121 penalties in the top five leagues since the 2006/07 season. Only Lazio (126), Real Madrid (127), and AC Milan (142) have won more.

— @OptaJose pic.twitter.com/7w2M0yhgJF

— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) March 6, 2022

Speaking of comebacks, Jordi Alba picked up a suspension against Valencia but returned to full flow today, assisting Torres’ equaliser. His personal tally has gone up to seven in the league this season, and 55 since joining Barça.

Infographic: Jordi Alba is the defender with the most assists since the 2012/13 season. pic.twitter.com/FhvcsUFDsS

— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) March 6, 2022

Full credit to Elche, though, who were in the game till the full-time whistle. In fact, given their abysmal record against the Blaugranes, they put up quite a fight.

For the first time since 1974, Elche have scored in back-to-back games against Barcelona.

— @Barca19stats pic.twitter.com/g7NYD5CDSo

— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) March 6, 2022